THE WORKS PRESENTS: EMMA DONOGHUE
SEASON 3
PROGRAMME 2
THURSDAY 29th SEPTEMBER 2016/RTÉ ONE/ 23:05
The Works Presents continues with a new 10-part series in which John Kelly meets key figures from the worlds of film, literature, music, theatre and the visual arts.
In the second episode of the series, John travels to Nice to meet with the critically acclaimed Irish writer, Emma Donoghue.
From plays and novels, to her recent film screenplay, Emma has enjoyed incredible success across a wide genre of work. This success is set to continue with the publication of her new gothic novel, ‘The Wonder’.
Set in post-famine Ireland, ‘The Wonder’ tells the story of an English nurse sent to Ireland to look after a mysterious young girl who appears to survive without eating.
In this engaging interview, Emma talks with John about her love of writing as a child, her fascination with 18th Century literature and her disbelief at being welcomed into the golden world of Hollywood.
From running on a treadmill to discussing literature with her parents, Emma talks about the things that have inspired her writing in the past and continue to motivate her today. A confidence and self-belief instilled in her youth allows her to take chances on stories that others might not and has helped her to tread her own unique path.
A successful novelist and playwright, Emma was catapulted to international acclaim with her 2010 novel ‘Room’, shortlisted for the Orange Prize and Man Booker Prize. Her adapted screenplay for the movie version earned her a nomination for an Academy Award.
Despite this commercial success, Emma talks movingly about what she describes as the single most interesting thing to happen to her in the last twenty years; becoming a parent.
‘The Wonder’ is available from 22nd September and published by Pan MacMillan.